Voting machine



J H. DEAN.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-11.1910.

1 1 94,332 Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

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VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG-ll. X910.

1 1 94,332 Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

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VOTING MAC HINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-ll, 19H).

1,194,332. Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. DEAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

EMPIRE VOTING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

VOTING-MACHINE.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

Application filed August 11, 1910. Serial No. 576,620.

To all whom it may center ng 7 Be it known that I, JAM H. DEAN, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ofCook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Voting-Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention consists of an improved counter applied to amachine of the.

type described in Patent 820,802 issued to V. J .Lausterer, and Patent945,714.

It also consists of the mechanism driving, operating, resetting andcontrolling said counters.

The invention further consists of the features of construction that willbe hereinview of the rock shaft which drives the counter actuators. Fig3 is a perspective view of the voting key with the interlocking strapannexed. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section on the line 4*, 4*. ofFig. 5. 5 is a rear elevation of a portion of the counter channels, thechannels being broken away in part to expose certain of the voting keys.Figs. 6, 7' and 8 are views of the actuator and the driving pinion,showing the actuator in different positions. Fig. 9 is a perspectiveview of the actuator and its driving pinion. Fig. 10 is a section on theline 10 10 of Fig. 4. Fig.11 is a detail perspective view of the curtainlever and the driving mechanism connected there with. Fig. 12 is a sideelevation of the cam for driving the counter actuator shaft shown inconnection with the operating mechanism of the machine at the upper lefthand corner. Fig. 13 is a perspective detail of the cam controlling theresetting of the counters. Fig. 14 is a yoke to be used for connectingthe universal bars to the rock shaft. Figs. 15 and 15 show inperspective the rock shaft 33 and the cam plates that cooperatetherewith, the figures being taken at the left and right hand corners ofthe machine respectively when viewed from the rear. I

- In the accompanying drawings like reference numerals refer to likeparts.

The front plate 1 has mounted thereon keys2, 2 which are pivoted thereonand free to turn thereon. To each of the keys'is connected at the rear acrank or yoke 3 having a pin4 thereon. Connected to each of the cranksis the interlocking strap 5 which is controlled by the resetting bars 6and the interlockingwedge 7 in the samemanner as is described in thepatents above referred to. Each of-the pins 4: engages with an actuator8, as shown in Fig. 10'. This actuator consists in part of a plate9having a recess 10 stamped therein and having integral therewith thesegmental portion 10 formed by bending the plate 9 into the reentrantshape shown in Fig. 9 This rentrant portion has cut therein the recess11, which recess extends partly into theflat side and partly into theconvexsurface of the reentrant portion. The convex surface also carriesa rectangular tooth 12 making of this part of the actuator a segment ofacrown or face gear having a single tooth.

the pin 4 is engaged. The other side 13 of the actuator is a round diskwhich is formed integral with the hub '14 of the actuator, on which hubthe side 9 is placed. The end of the hub is spun over for the purpose ofsecurely holding the two parts together.

channels 15, one for each single oiiice line of keys. Mounted in thesechannels at suitable intervals are pins 16, which pins pass through thehubs 14 of the counter actuators 8, and on which the counter actuators 8are free to oscillate, and in which they are The plate 9 forms one oftwo parallel sides or disks of the actuator, between which in Fig. 9.This pinion is an elongated pin-' ion. and has thereon three distinctsets of teeth. it consists of a hub or barrel 19 which is .substantiallyas long as the clearance between the sides 20, 20 of the counter channelin which it is mounted. Near one end of this hub is mounted three broadfiat teeth 21, distributed around the hub at intervals of 120 degreesbetween centers. At the other end of the hub or barrel'is a second setof three teeth 22, distributed-aroundthe barrel at intervals of 120degrees between centers as well.. These teeth 22 are comparativelyshort.- Intermediate of these teeth 22 are three other teeth 23 whichare comparatively long and which are likewise distributed around the hubor barrel at intervalsof 120 degrees between centers. All three of thesesets of teeth are intergral with the hub or barrel of which they form apart, the whole. being made in one piece.

Between the teeth 21 and 23 the hub is left blank, coinciding indiameter with the base line of the teeth. The space between the teeth2123 is the same in length as the distance between the outer end of thetooth 12 and the end of the recess 11. The convex surface of theactuator 8 is normally in engagement with two of the teeth 21 oi'themutilated pinion, as is shown-in Figs, 6, 7, 9v and 10, and whileoccupying the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the mutilated pinion islocked against rotation, The actuator, however, is capable of a lateralmove 'ment along its supporting pin 16, due to the voting operation ofthe key, by which its rectangular tooth 12 will be thrown intoengagement with the teeth 23 of the mutilated pinion. lVhile in theposition shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the oscillation of the actuator willhave no eiiect whatever on the mutilated pinion for the purpose ofmoving it. When, however, the actuator is moved to the right from theposition shownin Figs. 9 and 10 the tooth 12 will be placed inengagement with the teeth 23, so that the oscillation of the actuatorwill cause a corresponding oscillation in the mutilated pinion. While inthe position shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the unbroken portion of the convexsurface is kept in contact with the teeth 21. When the tooth 12 is movedinto engagement with the teeth 23, this unbroken portion of the convexsurface is withdrawn from the teeth 21 and the recess 11 is placedopposite said tth instead. WVhen the actuator is in such position theoscillation of it will cause the tooth 12 to drive the mutilated pinionby contacting with. the teeth 23 thereof, and the teeth 21 are free. toQIOVG at the same time,

due to the recess 11 provided in the actuator for such purpose. Theoscillation of the actuator through an angle of about 40 degrees willrotate thepinion through 120 degrees and lock it in such advanceposition during thefurther forward movement of the'actuator. After theactuator and the mutilated pinion have beenso rotated the actuator canbe moved laterally by the resetting of the key, after which it can berotated back to its original position without disturbing the position ofthe mutilated pinion. This move ment of the actuator is a four-waymovement and corresponds to the movement described in my prior Patent636,730, which patent describesthe counter and the counter actuator onwhich this is an improvement.

The teeth 22 and 23 form a gear of six teeth, which engages with thepinion 25 shown in side elevation in Fig. 4, which pinion in turnengages with the units wheel 26 of the counter, which wheel has a gearof twenty teeth thereon. As each oscillation of the actuator when invoted position advances the mutilated pinion two teeth, it isobviousthat the units wheel will be advanced two teeth thereby, orone-tenth of a revolution.

Each of the counters is provided with units, tens and hundreds wheels,which are geared together by the ordinary transfer pinions, such as areshown, for example, in

cranks are united by a bridge 28, which bridge is integral therewith,the bell cranks and bridge, being formed from a single piece of sheetmetal. The yoke engages with the recess 10 of the counter actuator, sothat the oscillation of the yoke will cause the oscillation of theactuator. By this recess, the counter actuator has a sliding engagementwith the yoke by which the actuator is enabled to move laterally withthe key and still maintain its oscillating engagement with the v0 e.

For each ofiice line two universal bars 30 are provided, to each ofwhich the yokes 27, are connected, one of these universal barsconnecting to the bell cranks forming the part of the yoke on one sideof the ofiice line and the other universal bar connecting to the bellcranks on the other side of the oflice line. At the top these universalbars are connected by the rod 31, through which rod the universal barsare driven up and down to cause the oscillation of the actuators. Tothis rod are connected the links 36, which links in turn are connectedto the cranks 34 by the rod 72. The cranks 34 are keyed on The mechanismfor Oscillating the rock shaft 33 I am now about to describe: On the endof this shaft at the right as shown in Fig. 1, is carried a crank 57.This crank engages'with the cam slot 38 of the cam plate 39, which isshown in Figs. 1 and 12. This cam plate has the'slots' 40 and 41 cuttherein, which slots engage with the studs 42 and 43, by whichengagement the 'cam plates are held to a longitudinal movement. On theupper end of the cam plate 39 is secured a bracket 44 to which, ispivoted a link 45, which in turn is connected to the bell crank. 46pivoted on the stud 47 fastened in the front plate of the machine. .Thebellcrank 46 has connected thereto the link 47 Which link in turn isconnected to and is operated by the crank 48 keyed to the shaft 49, towhich shaft is also keyed the lever 50, as is described in the Patent820,802. 1

The foregoing describes the mechanism at one end of the machine and atthe other end of the machine similar mechanism is also placed connectedby a link 47 to the crank 48. The machine is thus equipped with twolinks 47, two bell cranks 46, two links 45 and two cam plates 39 whichoperate upon the opposite ends of the rock shaft 33 to rock it. o

The oscillation of the curtain lever'will cause the cam plates 39 torise and fall. The cam slots 38 therein will cause the cranks 57 to turnin one direction as the plate 39 moves up and in the reverse directionas the plate 39 moves down, imparting thereby the reciprocating motionto the universal bars 30 and the oscillating motion to the counteractuators connected thereto. The cam plate 39 shown in Fig. 12 is at theleft hand end of the machine and the cam plate 39 shown in Fig. 1 is atthe right, hand end of the machine. The counter channels in Fig. 1

expose the counters at the rear of the Inachine and in Fig. 12 the rearof themachine is at the left hand side.

. Connected to the plates 39.are the driving bars 51 which engage withand drive the resetting bar 6 by which the keys are reset and locked. Itwill be understood of course,

that there are two bars 51 in the machine, one at each end of themachine and that these bars engage with and drive the resetting bar 6.The arrangement of the driving bars and resetting bar is more fullyshown in Fig. 4 of Patent No. 945,714, Gillespie, and Fig. 5 of PatentNo. 995,424, Gillespie.

As the plates 39 move downward fromthe position shown in Fig. 1, it isapparent that the shaft 33 will be rocked to a certain position and thenheld idly in that position during the further downward movement of theplate 39, during which movement the bar 51 operates on the bar 6 toreset and lock the keys. It is apparent that the oscillating movement ofthe actuators is completed before the bars 51 have moved far enough toengage the resetting bar for the purpose of locking the keys. It will beunderstood thatat the end of each link. 47 is connected a bell crank 46,each of which is pivoted on astud .47 and to each of which is connecteda link 45 to which in turn is connected the cam plate 39, the oneshown-in'Fig. 1 being at the right of the machine and the one in Fig. 12being at the left of the machine. The shaft 33 extends the full lengthof the machineand is driven at each end by a cam plate -39. This shafthas the crank .57 at each end thereofthat engages with and is driven bythe plate 39 and at the left end it has the crank 56 which engageswith-and is operated by the cam plate 53.

While the plate 39 is in the position shown in Fig. 1 the cranks 57 maybe turned upward to the right so as to enter the recesses 52, in whichposition the counter actuators will be thrown to the position shown inFig. 8 with reference to their; mutilated pinions. In this position themutilated pinions are released from the control of the counteractuators, so that the counters can be turned forward or back at will.This construction is provided for the'purpose of permitting theresetting of the counters.

, To prevent the improper turning of the shaft 33 to the position justdescribed I provide the cam plate 53. mounted to slide on the casing ofthe machine and having therein a cam slot 54. Mounted on one end of vtheshaft 32 I provide the crank 55 having a stud '56 thereon which bearsagainst the cam 54. This crank 55 is formed as a part of the crank 57which engages with the cam slot 38 in the cam plate 39 atits end of themachine, so that the rock shaft 33 is positively driven by cam plates 39at both ends of The rotation of it, however,-

the machine. P is limited by the cam plate 53 which is located only atone end of the machine.

This cam plate has the slots 59 and '59 cut therein, with which engagethe studs 60, 61 mounted on the front plate'of the machine and on whichthe cam plate 53 is free to travel with a limited movement. Connected- I12. When thedoor has been opened as far as shown by the dotted lines inFig. 12, the bell crank 64 can be rocked to the dotted line position,drawing down the cam plate 53 through the link 58. This will cause ahook 63 on the plate to engage with the stud 56, drawing the studforward into thecam slot as the cam plate 53 moves down,v rocking theshaft 33, so that the cranks 57 at each end enter the recesses 52 inthe.cam plates 39 and place all of the counter actuators in the positionshown in Fig. 8.

Each of the units wheels of the counters is tightly mounted on the shaft66 which carries thecounter wheels, so as to rotate therewith. Theknurled wheel 65 is also tightly mounted on this shaft 66, so that theknurled wheel, shaft and units wheel all revolvein unison. After thecounters have been un locked by placing the actuators in the positionshown in Fig. 8, the knurled wheels can be rotated, causing the rotationof the units wheels and through the transfer pinions, the rotation ofthe tens and hundreds wheels as 'well. -By rotating the knurled wheelsthe counter wheels can be rotated in either direction until they standat 000. The counters may be provided with the stops for automaticallystopping the wheels at 000, such as are shown in Fig. 7 of the Patent761,218, and in such case I prefer to have the wheels stop .with thewheels exposed through the sight openings half way between 000. and 999.This positions the mutilated pinion 18 so that the teeth 21 thereincannot be deadmntered with the actuator. hen the bell crank 64 is movedto the full line position shown in Fig. 12, the actuators will be movedinto engagement with the mutilated pinions', rotatmg them slightly so asto throw all of the counter wheels to the position to expose 000 throughthe sight openings of the channel.

In Fig. 14 I have shown a modification of the connection between theshaft 32 and the universal bars 30 which comprises a yoke 7 O to whichmay be connected the pair of universal bars used to operate thecountersin an oflice line. This yoke is formed of a single piece ofsheet metal cut and bent to the shape shown in Fig. 14: The recesses 71,71 embrace'the rod 72 supported bythe outer ends of the cranks 34. Thisrod extends continuously the full length of the rock shaft 33 and rocksin unison with it, being supported at regular intervals by the cranks 34heretofore mentioned.

When the yoke 7O'is engaged with the rod 7 2 it can be locked inengagement therewith bypassing a cotter pin through the holes 73 formedin the fingers 74. By this arrangement the universal bars 30 can bereadil connected to and disconnected from the roc shaft by which theyare operated.

The connection between the key 2 and its yoke 3 is as follows: The keyis formed with a stem projecting through the plate 1. The pin has arectangular oblong cross section at the place where it engages the yoke3 and the yoke 3 is recessed to positively engage with open space,'theteeth of one set being gered with reference to the teeth of the otherset, one-set of said teeth being used for drivturned thereby. Beyondthis the pin is threaded. A cup shaped washer 3 is placed over the pinand a nut 3 is screwed on the pin to hold all the parts together. Asindicated in Fig. 3, the nut has a slotted head permitting the use pf ascrew driver thereon.

Having'thus described my invention, what I claim as new and patentableis as follows:

1. The combination -of a voting machine, of a series of decimalcounters, each having a plurality of wheels, a gear in each counter idlymeshin with the units wheel thereof, a mutilated pinion for each countermeshing with said gear, an actuator for driving and locking each of saidmutilated pinions, a lever on each of said actuators, and a universalbar connected to a plurality of said levers to simultaneously operatesaid actuators.

2. The combination in a voting machine of a plurality of oscillatingactuators, a lever attached to each of 'saidactuators, and a universalbar pivotally connected to a plurality of said levers to communicatesimultaneous movement back and forth to a plurality of said actuators.

3. The combination in a voting machine of an oscillating counteractuator having a space, the teeth of one set being staggered withreference to the teeth of the other set, one set of said teeth. beingused for driving said pinion, the other set being used for locking anddriving said pinion.

6. The combination in a voting machine of a mutilated pinion comprisinga hub, and

two sets of teeth thereon separated by an staging said pinion, the otherset being used for locking and driving said pinion, an actuator havin atooth for intermittently engaging with t e teeth of'the one set fordriving said pinion, and a recess the sides of which intermittentlyengage with and drive the teeth of the other set.

7. The combination in a voting machine of a mutilated pinion comprisinga hub, two sets of teeth thereon separated by an open space, the teethof one set being staggered with reference to the teeth of the other set,

one set of said teeth being used for driving said pinion, the other setbeing used for l0cking and driving said pinion, and an actuator having asegmental surface engaging with the teeth of one set to lock the pinionagainst rotation.

8. The combination in a voting machine of a decimal counter, a mutilatedpinion connected thereto and rotated therewith, and means for stoppingsaid counter in its backward rotation in an abnormal position.

9. The combination in a voting machine of a decimal counter, a mutilatedpinion for driving said counter, an actuator for driving said pinion,said actuator being capable of disengagement from said pinion, and meansfor stopping said counter in its backward rotation in an abnormalposition to expose the interval between consecutive teeth of said pinionto the edge of said actuator, permitting said actuator to be moved backinto engagement with said pinion without dead centering therewith.

10. The combination in a voting machine of a face plate, a voting keypivoted thereon extending *nrough said plate, a yoke keyed to said k ybehind said face plate, a pin mounted on said yoke eccentric to thebearing of said key, and an interlocking strap attached to said yokebetween said pin and said key, said pin traveling a shorter distancethan the said interlockins strap.

11. The combination in a voting machine of a counter actuator formed ofa hub having a flange integral therewith, and a plate fastened to saidhub, said plate having a segmental cylindrical surface formed thereon.

12. The combination in a voting machine of a counter actuator formed ofa hub having a flange integral therewith, and a plate fastened on saidhub, and having a'recess therein.

13. The combination in a voting machine of a counter actuator formed ofa hub having a flange integral therewith, and a plate fastened on saidhub and having a recess therein, an annular groove being left betweensaid flange and said plate.-

14. The combination in a voting machine of a counter actuator formed ofa hub having a flange integral therewith, a plate fastened on said hub,and having a recess therein,.an annular groove being left between saidflange and said plate, a face plate,a key pivoted thereon, and a pinconnected to said ev and engaging with said groove. 7

15. The combination in a votingmachine of a key, a pin connectedthereto, and a counter actuator having a groove therein, said counteractuator being mounted to permit lateral and oscillating movement, saidpin engaging with said groove to produc: lateral movement in the counteractuator by the movement of the key. I

16. The combination in a voting machine of a channel, a pin mounted insaid channel, a counter actuator mounted to slide and oscillate on saidpin, and a yoke mounted to oscillate on said pin, said actuatormaintaining a sliding engagement with said yoke, by which said counteractuator oscillates with said yoke but moves laterally independentthereof.

17. The combination in a voting machine of a channel, a pin mounted insaid channel, a counter actuator mounted to slide and oscillate on saidpin, a yoke mounted to oscillate on said pin, said actuator maintaininga sliding engagement with said yoke by which said counter actuatoroscillates with said yoke but moves laterally independent thereof, and acrank on said yoke.

18. The combination in a voting machine of a channel, pins mounted insaid channel, a counter actuator mounted to oscillate and slide on eachof said pins, and a yoke mounted tooscillate on each of said pins, eachof said actuators maintaining a sliding engagement with its yoke, bywhich said counter actuators oscillate with their yokes but movelaterally independent thereof. 1

19. The combination in a voting machine of a channel, pins mounted insaid channel, a counter actuator mounted to scillate and slide on eachof said pins, a yoke mounted to oscillate on each f saidpins, each ofsaid actuators maintaining a sliding engagement with its yoke, by whichsaid counter actuators oscillate with their yokes but move laterallyindependent thereof, and means to oscillate all the yokes of saidchannel simultaneously.

20. The combination in a voting machine of an operating lever therefor,a cam plate connected to and reciprocated by said lever, a rock shafthaving a crank engaging with said cam plate, and universal barsconnected to said rock shaft, whereby the oscilla Hm of the operatinglever causes the reciprocat1oof said universal bars.

21. The combination in a voting machine of an operating lever therefor,a cam plate connected to and reciprocated by said lever, a rock shafthaving a crank engaging with said cam plate, and universal barsconnected to said rock shaft, whereby the oscillation of the operatinglever causes the reciprocation of said universal bars, said cam platehaving a recess therein which in one position per mits an abnormaloscillation of said rock shaft.

22. The combination in a voting machine of an operating lever therefor,a cam plate connected to and reciprocated by'said lever, a rock shafthaving a crank engaging with said cam .plate, universal bars connectedto Said rock shaft, whereby the oscillation of the operating levercauses the reciprocation of said universal bars, said cam plate having arecess therein which in one position permits an abnormal oscillation ofsaid rock shaft, and an auxiliary cam plate which normally prevents theabnormal oscillation of said rock shaft.

23. The combination in a voting machine of'an operating lever therefor,a cam plate connected to and reciprocated by said lever, a rock shafthaving a crank engaging with said cam plate, universal bars connected tosaid rock shaft, whereby the oscillation of the operating lever causesthe reciprocation of said universal bars, said cam plate having a recesstherein which in one position permits an abnormal oscillation of saidrock shaft, an auxiliary cam plate which normally prevents the abnormaloscillation of said rock shaft, and a door on the voting machine,connections between said door and said auxiliary cam plate whereby uponthe opening of said door said cam plate can be advanced to rock saidrock shaft to its abnormal position.

24. The combination in a voting machine of a rock shaft, a cam foroscillating said rock shaft, a recess in said cam permitting theabnormal rocking of said shaft, an auxiliary cam plate preventing saidabnormal rocking of said shaft, and means for moving said auxiliary camplate to rock said shaft to its abnormal position.

25. The combination in a voting machine of a rock shaft, a cam foroscillating said rock shaft, a recess in said cam permitting theabnormal rocking of said shaft, an auxiliary cam plate preventing saidabnormal rocking of said shaft, means for moving said auxiliary camplate to rock said shaft to its abnormal position, a door on the votingmachine, and a crank connected to said auxiliary cam plate preventingthe closing of said door when said rock shaft is in its abnormalposition.

26. The combination in a voting machine of a plurality of counters,actuators for driving and locking said counters, said actuators beingcapable of movement to a position to release said counters for resettingoperation, a door on the voting machine and a connection between saidcounter actuators and said door which prevents the closing of said doorwhile the counter actuators are in unlocking position.

27. In a voting machine, the combination of a counter actuator having aweb, and a cylindrical surface integral therewith, said web and saidcylindrical surface being bent up out of a single piece of sheet metal,said cylindrical surface being cut away to form the teeth of a face geartherein.

28. In a voting machine, the combination of registers, actuatorsnormally locking said registers against operation, means for connectingsaid actuators to said registers to move the latter, actuator operatingmeans normally holding said actuators in engagement with said registers,and means allow ing movement of said actuator operating means todisconnect said actuators from said registers.

29. In a voting machine, the combination of registers, actuators movableinto position to operate said registers and normally looking'sa-idregisters against operation, actuator operating means normally holdingsaid actuators in engagement with said registers, and means allowingmovement of said actuator operating means to disconnect said actuatorsfrom said registers.

80. The combination in a voting machine,

of an oscillating counter actuator having a driving tooth extending fromits periphery perpendicular to the plane of motion of its oscillation,and having a recess in its periphery, a mutilated pinion meshing withand being driven by said actuator, said pinion having a hub and two setsof teeth thereon separated by an open space, the distance between theend of the driving tooth and the recess on the actuator being the sameas the length of the open space between the teeth on the pinion.

JAMES H. DEAN.

IVitnesses:

I'IARRY L. CLAPP, KATHARINE Gunmen.

